02 Feb 2024
By: Sheryl Tay
During pregnancy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches such as acupuncture may help ease common symptoms such as morning sickness, fatigue, and muscle soreness. Herbal medicine may also be used to support the body’s internal balance and overall well-being.
Postnatally, TCM treatments may support recovery by addressing common postpartum symptoms. Acupuncture and herbal medicine may also help replenish vitality, restore balance, and support emotional well-being during this period.
Discover the holistic benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) throughout your pregnancy journey and beyond! TCM treatments aren’t just effective for improving fertility; they can also complement Western medicine, enhancing the chances of conception and supporting women through every stage of pregnancy and postpartum. Experience the natural relief TCM offers for common pregnancy discomforts and symptoms, providing a safe alternative to medications often contraindicated during pregnancy. Embrace the miraculous journey of pregnancy with TCM’s gentle and holistic approach, promoting maternal well-being and nurturing both mother and baby.
Here’s how TCM can assist you:
Alleviating Discomfort:
While it is common to experience symptoms during pregnancy, it may be helpful to seek TCM treatments when it becomes too uncomfortable for you to ensure a more comfortable and happy pregnancy. TCM emphasizes the balance of vital energy (Qi) and blood circulation. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are usually prescribed to optimize these essential elements, promoting a harmonious environment for both you and your baby, thereby relieving the discomfort experienced during pregnancy. Common pregnancy symptoms include:
Morning sickness
Acupuncture and herbal medication are effective ways to help relieve nausea vomiting
Home tips to help relieve morning sickness: Massaging acupoint 内关 1-2 minutes every day helps to relieve nausea. Drinking ginger tea can also help alleviate some discomfort due to morning sickness.
More severe cases of nausea vomiting, would require a consultation with a physician to diagnose your body constitution and prescribe acupuncture and/or herbal medication to treat. Common body constitution in ladies with morning sickness:
Constipation
Constipation is described as infrequent bowel movements or difficulty in removing bowels. It has been estimated that approximately 11% to 38% of pregnant women experience constipation. Pregnancy predisposes women to developing constipation due to physiologic and anatomic changes in the gastrointestinal tract. There is increased water absorption from the intestines, which causes stool to dry out. Decreased maternal activity and increased vitamin supplementation (eg, iron and calcium) can further contribute to constipation.
Acupuncture can effectively re-regulate bowel movements by helping to get the circulation flowing again and bringing moisture to the area if needed. Acupuncture treatment can help open blockages, stimulate peristalsis, and bring on a bowel movement. Massaging 支沟 acupoint 1-2 minutes daily could help with pregnancy constipation.
Insomnia and fatigue
Insomnia describes the difficulty in falling asleep and not having restful sleep.
A study done suggested that an average of 45.7% pregnant women suffer from poor quality of sleep. Sleep problems and changes in sleep patterns start during the first trimester of pregnancy, most likely influenced by the rapid changes in reproductive hormone levels. Sleep during the first trimester is also disturbed due to nausea or vomiting. In the third trimester, sleep disturbances are due to general discomfort caused by backache, urinary frequency, fetal movements, GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) and leg discomfort. Poor sleep translates to daytime effects including hypersomnia, fatigue and mood changes.
Studies have shown that acupuncture can significantly improve the sleep quality in pregnant women, possibly through increasing melatonin secretion, and could be recommended as a low-risk alternative treatment to pharmacological therapies. Massaging 百会 acupoint could help with pregnancy insomnia.
Pain
Acupuncture provides effective support for patients experiencing aches and pains, be it headaches, bodily aches such as neck pains and backaches. Pregnancy could be uncomfortable and experiencing aches and pain could worsen quality of life and daily functioning of pregnant ladies. Acupuncture is considered as a safe, non-pharmacological treatment option that is being increasingly used to provide relief from discomfort during the pregnancy.
Acupuncture done by a licensed physician is safe. The physician would avoid some acupuncture points which are contraindicated for pregnant ladies
Preparing for Labor: TCM can play a vital role in preparing your body for labor. Our physicians can provide guidance on exercises, dietary adjustments, and herbal support tailored to your specific needs.
Even though TCM has its benefits, it is important to note that it should not substitute Western medical care during your pregnancy. It can provide complementary care, but it is vital to visit your gynaecologist regularly to monitor the progress of your pregnancy.
Pregnancy can bring about various changes in your body, and TCM offers a holistic approach to address these changes naturally. Our experienced TCM physicians specialize in providing personalized care to expectant mothers, focusing on enhancing overall well-being and promoting a healthy pregnancy.
Herbal consumption during pregnancy requires careful planning, as the mother’s needs may change throughout each trimester.
First Trimester: Herbal remedies may be prescribed to support the body during early pregnancy and help manage symptoms such as morning sickness. Ginger and perilla leaf, for example, may be used to alleviate nausea and bloating.
Second Trimester: As your baby gradually grows, herbal remedies may be used to support overall well-being and address common symptoms such as constipation or heatiness, depending on the TCM physician’s assessment.
Third Trimester: As you prepare for delivery and postpartum recovery, greater care is taken with herbs that may stimulate uterine contractions, influence blood circulation or affect blood pressure.
Learn more about which herbs mothers should avoid during pregnancy.
Discover in detail which foods to avoid during pregnancy.
During the postnatal stage, TCM primarily focuses on helping to promote better recovery outcomes and undo the many adverse changes you might be experiencing after childbirth. With all the fatigue and stress after childbirth, acupuncture can help to relieve the physical ails, including back pain, muscle aches, and pelvic pain.
As you recover from childbirth, herbal medicines help to restore your body’s balance once more. The herbal remedies at the clinic can provide much-needed nutrients to help speed up your recovery, especially if you have experienced perineal tears during childbirth or need support in coping with hormonal changes. Since you will be low on energy due to the strains of childbirth, herbal remedies also provide the nourishment necessary to regain strength.
Starting a family is a meaningful journey filled with hope, emotion, and desire to create the best possible beginning for both mother and child. TCM offers a gentle, more holistic approach to improving fertility and supporting health. Visit Yi TCM, a fertility TCM clinic in Singapore, to support you with care, compassionate support and guidance every step of the way.
Sub-Fertility | Pregnancy | General Health |
Gynaecology | Gastrointestinal | Pediatrics
Email contact: sheryl@yitcm.com.sg
